[DestinationMoon!]

Hi, New to the forum but not BMWs. I've always been pretty happy with the audio on my X5 a X1. But trading in the old X1 for the new U11. I am expecting delivery in a few weeks of a vehicle that was already in transit. Has pretty much everything I wanted except the HK system.

I want to improve the base system from what I am reading about it. I used to install car stereo for myself and friends but dont think ripping apart my new car is in the cards. Especially with the complexity and communications built into new computer-controlled and monitored systems.

I just want to nreplace and add speakers if possible. The base system only has 7 speakers from what I see. 1 in each door but not sure where the other 3 are?

Does anyone know if the audio wiring harness extend to the missing speaker locations and if they power up if a speaker is connected?
I ask because its possible all the cars get the same harness but not the speakers in a HK vs Base non-HK vehicle.

Has anyone removed the grills in the doors for the mids to replace with a coaxial? Hoping you dont need to drop the whole door panel to access. Searched hi and lo but cant find anything on the forum or Utube

Would also like to add the center speaker if possible. is the bracket and harness dropped in there??

Thanks for any help and apologies for the long winded post!

[FlashMonkey929]

The only thing I can answer is you'll have to remove the entire door panel to replace any speakers from what I can see.

[Duncs1961]

The other three speakers that you're not sure where they are located are: one under each front seat (bass) and one centre speaker (on top of the dasboard). I have the HK setup, and the differences to stock stereo are: one tweeter on each door (high up) and a tweeter added to the centre speaker.

[DestinationMoon!]

Originally Posted by Duncs1961

The other three speakers that you're not sure where they are located are: one under each front seat (bass) and one centre speaker (on top of the dasboard). I have the HK setup, and the differences to stock stereo are: one tweeter on each door (high up) and a tweeter added to the centre speaker.

Thanks for the reply. I have been reading that the HK has 12 speakers and the standard has only 7. That's a difference of 5 speakers.

I'm thinking of upgrading the fronts and center. Door removal doesn't look too difficult.
Seems like there are a few companies - Focal, Morel and some others that make coaxials that will drop in.

Not sure if they are 4 or 5 inch for our cars. Some sites say compatible speakers are 4 inch, some specd as 5 for the same location. Very confusing. Anyone know the size on the front doors and front center?

I have no idea how to decide which ones are better or worse. If anyone can point to reviews please share

Thanks again!

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by DestinationMoon!

Thanks for the reply. I have been reading that the HK has 12 speakers and the standard has only 7. That's a difference of 5 speakers.

I'm thinking of upgrading the fronts and center. Door removal doesn't look too difficult.
Seems like there are a few companies - Focal, Morel and some others that make coaxials that will drop in.

Not sure if they are 4 or 5 inch for our cars. Some sites say compatible speakers are 4 inch, some specd as 5 for the same location. Very confusing. Anyone know the size on the front doors and front center?

I have no idea how to decide which ones are better or worse. If anyone can point to reviews please share

Thanks again!

Any update on this?

[rittiej]

Did it myself. If you are not familiar with door panel removal, don’t attempt. Door lock mechanism, wire harness have to be disconnected. You have to take the front seat bolts out to get to the subs. YouTube up. I have done many installs and have broken many parts. Match 8 DSP is a great addition. Plug and play. 7 speakers (2 subs, center, 4 doors including woofer tweeters and crossover. I have HK system.

[moonagic]

I did it.Change the orignal speaker to B&W speakers with a ID7 booster added to drive the B&W woofer underseats.With no wire retiofit and need a professional software programming and coding.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by rittiej

Did it myself. If you are not familiar with door panel removal, don’t attempt. Door lock mechanism, wire harness have to be disconnected. You have to take the front seat bolts out to get to the subs. YouTube up. I have done many installs and have broken many parts. Match 8 DSP is a great addition. Plug and play. 7 speakers (2 subs, center, 4 doors including woofer tweeters and crossover. I have HK system.

Is there pre existing wiring to add the additional tweeter speakers?

[rittiej]

The speakers come with a crossover. Plug and play.

[Jorge Humberto]

Boa tarde. Comprei X1 U11, com sistema som base. Entretanto vou comprar de uma viatura acidentada todo o equipamento HK.A fiação do base já está preparada para o HK? Depois de montar tem de se atualizar o software? Quem faz a atualização? O concessionário BMW? Obrigado pela ajuda.

[paulockenden]

Transition: Good afternoon. I bought an X1 U11 with a basic sound system. In the meantime, I'm going to buy all the HK equipment from a crashed vehicle. Is the basic wiring already prepared for the HK? After assembly, do I need to update the software? Who does the update? The BMW dealer? Thanks for your help.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

Transition: Good afternoon. I bought an X1 U11 with a basic sound system. In the meantime, I'm going to buy all the HK equipment from a crashed vehicle. Is the basic wiring already prepared for the HK? After assembly, do I need to update the software? Who does the update? The BMW dealer? Thanks for your help.

I purchased and installed an OEM HK amplifier in my wife’s X1. The vehicle has to be coded to know it’s there. If you have idrive 9 only the dealer can code it.

[J-RO]

UPDATE: After several months of going back forth with the dealer I was advised that they cannot code Idrive 9 to accept the new HK amp. If someone knows different please advise.

[Xeins]

Hi All. Does anyone know if to fit the twitter on the front door is jus take the cover and plug & play? Thanks!

[J-RO]

UPDATE: I purchased an OEM HK amp from ebay that came from a wrecked X1. After installing the amp I lost almost all of the AM stations and the something was off with the power. The car needs to be coded to recognize the new amp. I posted this in another thread:


Had an OEM HK amp that I installed into my wife's 2025 X1 with the Hifi sound system coded today. (SEE Post #114). All my research indicated that any coding for vehicles with the Idrive 9 system had to be done through a dealer. With that in mind I went to my local dealer. This turned out to be a two month process. At first, noone knew what I was talking about. I finally found a service manager who understood what I was requesting. I left the vehicle with them for a week. It was returned and I was told they had to reach out to "upper management tech guys" to get it done. Eventually I was told it could not be done. Since I am not one to ever give up I pursued the issue. I went to another BMW forum and posted my issue in a coding sub form. Several people reached out. One,in particular, responded and said he could help.We set up a remote coding session. I was a little bit apprehensive letting a stranger from Germany access my personal computer but I took a deep breath and gave him access. In approximately one hour it was done. I was overjoyed. Everything works as it should.

[Dra1n Bama9e]

Originally Posted by J-RO

UPDATE: I purchased an OEM HK amp from ebay that came from a wrecked X1. After installing the amp I lost almost all of the AM stations and the something was off with the power. The car needs to be coded to recognize the new amp. I posted this in another thread:


Had an OEM HK amp that I installed into my wife's 2025 X1 with the Hifi sound system coded today. (SEE Post #114). All my research indicated that any coding for vehicles with the Idrive 9 system had to be done through a dealer. With that in mind I went to my local dealer. This turned out to be a two month process. At first, noone knew what I was talking about. I finally found a service manager who understood what I was requesting. I left the vehicle with them for a week. It was returned and I was told they had to reach out to "upper management tech guys" to get it done. Eventually I was told it could not be done. Since I am not one to ever give up I pursued the issue. I went to another BMW forum and posted my issue in a coding sub form. Several people reached out. One,in particular, responded and said he could help.We set up a remote coding session. I was a little bit apprehensive letting a stranger from Germany access my personal computer but I took a deep breath and gave him access. In approximately one hour it was done. I was overjoyed. Everything works as it should.

J-RO what was the BMW forum?

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by Dra1n Bama9e

J-RO what was the BMW forum?

Send me a PM

[dboey]

Anyone replace their X1 U11 stock sound system with Match plug and play full sound system and care to share some feedback on the sound improvements compared to stock 6 speakers, thanks

[rittiej]

I did. Huge improvement.

[dboey]

Originally Posted by rittiej

I did. Huge improvement.

Care to share your setup, speakers and dsp model used. Thank you.

[rittiej]

Match 8 for HK system. Used the Match speakers all around.

[AleksEst]

Hello guys.

The first thing I want to say, with no intention to offend anyone:
If you have the base sound system, don’t even think about upgrading to Harman/Kardon.
I had the H/K system, and I’m absolutely not satisfied with the sound quality. They even crippled the equalizer – you’re only allowed to adjust high, mid, and low.

I’ve always been happy with H/K sound quality in previous models, but in this series, it’s just a disappointment.

So I ended up ordering a complete set – MATCH UP 8DSP amplifier and speakers from the same manufacturer, plus the center speaker (ordered in Europe).
The only problem is that the seller didn’t provide proper amplifier presets to make the sound perfect.
I’ve already looked into the topic and adjusted things by ear, and while it’s already a huge improvement over the stock H/K system, it’s still far from ideal.

My question – or request: has anyone done a professional sound tuning for the U11 and would be willing to share their amplifier settings?

Much appreciated in advance.